Editorial

Liquor Dealers Should Support the Prohibition Bills now being considered by congress if they are anxious to have the wave of sentiment in favor of prohibition brought to a sudden stop. We often hear of blind zeal and rabid enthusiasm, as well as wilful stubbornness, but it is not often that men with the worldly experience of a congressman lend their names if not their hearty support to such ridiculous propositions as several of the twenty-odd prohibition bills now before congress. These bills are intended to make laws which will cover interstate commerce and enable a prohibition state to prevent manufacturers from shipping goods into the state. The best example of the extreme severity of these bills is the one which emanates from the good old Keystone State of Pennsylvania and is known as the Acheson Bill which is unmistakable in its language, for it says that no intoxicating liquor shall be transported from any state or territory or district of the United States into any other state or territory or district. The penalty provided for such a conveyance is the confiscation of the liquor, a modest fine, not exceeding $500.00 and the mild punishment of imprisonment, not exceeding one year. Just think for a moment what would become of the drug business if such a bill actually became a law and was enforced. If any number of citizens of the United States actually believe that the world can get along without the use of medicines requiring alcohol in their manufacture, it may be well to enforce such a law just long enough for them to realize the distressing conditions which would result within twenty-four hours in the United States without the dispensing of a single drug or a single grain of medicine depending upon the use of alcohol in its production. We repeat that those interested in the manufacture or the sale of intoxicating liquors who desire to continue in the business should favor just such a bill as the Acheson Bill in order to awaken blind enthusiasts and cause them to realize that alcohol has its use as well as its misuse.

We think that the above suggestion is sufficient without referring in detail to the effect that the elimination of alcohol from commerce would have upon technical industries.

Will Prohibition Increase the Soda Fountain Trade? -It is a natural inference that prohibition and local option, which is spreading almost like a forest fire at the present time, will have a tendency to materially increase the soda fountain trade if the pharmacists take prompt advantage of the opportunities offered. While alcoholic beverages are frequently taken for the stimulating effect of the liquor, this is by no means the rule with lighter beverages, such as beer. Especially during the summer months, when the weather is warm, do we find saloons patronized by persons who

are actually thirsty in the phosiologic sense and who drink beer as a thirst quenching liquid rather than a stimulating beverage. Soda fountain drinks should in time attract the attention and satisfy the thirst of this class of saloon customers. The conditions of the times open a wonderful field for an inventive genius who will coin new names for old soda fountain beverages and attract the eye of the thirsty individual who misses the familiar screen door of a saloon. Some of the fountain drinks are wonderfully similar in physical appearance to beer and other like alcoholic beverages, suggesting titles such as "temperance brew" or The soda fountain will draw the trade of a new class "non-intoxicating beer," or other appropriate names. of thirsty customers.

We will be glad to hear from our readers in prohibition or local option sections of the country and we invite them to send us for publication their experience along the above line.

The Publication of the Federal Pure Food and Drugs Law.-Dr. H. W. Wiley, chief of the Bureau. of Chemistry of the Department of Agriculture, has issued his annual report and it contains much of interest to the several branches of the drug trade. A copy can be procured by addressing the chief of the department. Accompanying the detailed report is a carefully prepared statement of the successive steps taken in order to place the law in operation. It is very evident that every effort has been made to carry out the spirit of the law with as little friction as possible and the least amount of hardship for those who are anxious to comply with the law. It is gratifying to find so much evidence of a willingness on the part of manufacturers and dealers to cooperate with the officials in making the law effective. Among the substances given particular attention by the inspectors, we find prominent, olive oil, glycerin, cod liver oil and turpentine. It is not surprising that the chemists have met with difficulty in their examination of cod liver oil, the chemistry of which is by no means a settled scientific fact. A careful perusal of the report leads the thinking person to conclude that the department will continue its work without being swayed by criticism or other influences intended to change the course of the officials in gradually enforcing the provisions of the most important law affecting commerce which has ever been enacted in this country.

Careless Packing for South American Trade.-A correspondent of the MEYER Brothers DRUGGIST recently called the attention of the American manufacturers and exporters to the careless manner in which goods are packed for shipment to Costa Rica, where he is engaged in the retail and wholesale drug business. As pointed out, the entire South American trade complains of almost willful carelessness on the part of dealers in the United States. As further evidence of the truthfulness of this claim, we find a lengthy report by a special agent of the consular trade in Peru, who shows that practically every line of business is guilty of careless packing. A steam engine ar

rived in Peru in very much the same condition as if carried there by a cyclone. A shipment of corrugated glass was delivered in the form of powdered glass. A consignment of wines and liquors, when it reached Peru, consisted mostly of broken bottles. A shipment of paint from Boston started away as twenty-four different colors but reached Peru as a fairly good mixture or blend of these colors. Printing paper was seawater soaked until it looked like filter paper, and so on through a long list of examples. We are assured that these are not isolated cases but an every day experience. Perhaps our South American brothers would complain less if it were not for the fact that German manufacturers invariably pack their goods in a satisfactory manner. Thus it is, that the trade usually goes to Europe instead of following the natural course which is in the direction of the United States.

Dogmatism in Medicine.-Such a condition makes it possible to have various kinds of doctors, when the word doctor or physician should cover all possible range in the practice of medicine. Gradually the medical profession of the United States, which consists of physicians without qualifying adjectives and which is represented by the American Medical Association, the various state associations and the county organizations, is bringing about a better understanding on the part of the public in regard to medicine as a profession. The professional jealousy and false ethics of former days are disappearing, and we find medical organizations ready to accept as members reputable persons, legally qualified to practice medicine, provided, they drop all qualifying adjectives.

The Philadelphia County Medical Society recently announced its position in this matter, and has stirred up the local Homeopathic Organization which reiterates its adherents to the principles of Homeopathy, as laid down by Hahneman. The pharmacist receives but little support from the homeopathic physician, who is true to the principles of homeopathy. But, fortunately for the business side of pharmacy, it is usually difficult to distinguish between the prescriptions received from a physician and from those designating themselves as homeopathic physicians.

"The Camphor Monopoly," is the plain and truthful statement of the Japanese government in naming its control of the camphor output of the world. Recent developments indicate the possibility of the business for the Japanese government becoming a monopoly only in name. It seems that the Chinese government also knows a good thing when it sees it and has gradually developed the camphor industry to an extent which must alarm the Japanese. Then, synthetic camphor is coming to the front. This is especially true of the manufacture of synthetic camphor by manufacturers of goods requiring camphor in the process. In this way, the world at large does not see the synthetic camphor nor really understand the extent to which it is produced. An agent of the Japanese camphor monopoly has been in this country for

several months looking after the interests of his government and in the parlance of the politician, "fixing up the fences." Meantime the jobber and consequently the retail druggist continue to pay a high price for camphor.

The More Precipitate the More Alcohol in Solution. Some of our readers will remember that nearly thirty years ago Prof. John Uri Lloyd announced the result of experiments which showed that the formation of a precipitate in an alcoholic tincture or fluidextract increased the percentage of alcohol in the remaining solution. This is the case even though the container is sealed. Prof. Lloyd has recently called attention to the subject in the Eclectic Medical Gleaner, of Cincinnati. Thirty years ago the announcement was merely an interesting fact. Now, it is of great importance to those pharmacists who may have their preparations tested by the government officials to determine whether the percentage of alcohol present is in accord with the amount stated on the label.

Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say.— The South Dakota Pure Food and Drugs Law was intended to cover druggists, grocers and every one else dealing in drugs or foods. The Supreme Court has decided that the law in no way affects druggists, for it fails to mention either "druggists" or "medicine." When the state legislature meets in January, 1909, it will be necessary to patch up the law until it will look like Jacob's coat, before it will afford real protection. The MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST has more than once warned its readers against pushing hastily drawn bills, for in law it is necessary to say what you mean and mean what you say.

Pharmaco-Dynamics or the action of medicines upon the healthy or normal organism is rapidly gaining prominence in the curicula of the leading medical colleges of this country. The medical department of the University of Chicago recently established a "Department of Experimental Therapeutics" which will include pharmaco-dynamics or "pharmacology" as it is misnamed. A Chicago man gave $25,000 to establish the new department. These laboratories will examine and report upon some of the “safe” substitutes for official drugs advertised direct to the medical profession.

Improve the Status of Pharmacists in the service of the United States government. Such has been the motto of thousands of pharmacists who do not draw a cent of remuneration from Uncle Sam's treasury. The Hopkins' bill, now before the committee on expenditures of the Treasury Department, will, if it becomes a law, improve the rank of pharmacists in the army and navy. Now is the time to write your congressman and urge him to support the measure.

The N. A. R. D. Will accomplish good results in exact proportion to the financial support which it receives from the retail drug trade in the United States. Are you doing your share by contributing the nominal fee of $4.00 annual dues?

STRAY ITEMS AND COMMENTS.

Tasty and Beautiful Packages on leaving the drug store. Prof. H. P. Hynson said that frequently this is the only means the customer has of judging the character of the pharmacy.

Machine Oil Cans in the Prescription Case.-C. L. Meyer uses them for filling elastic capsules. They are cheap as well as convenient and a new one can be used for each prescription if necessary.

South Dakota Label Law Unconstitutional.-The Supreme Court of the state, on December 31, rendered an opinion that the law requiring the publication of the formula on patent medicines is unconstitutional. This is confirmatory of the opinion expressed by George L. Douglas, counsel for the Proprietary Association of America.

Retail Dealers Boom St. Louis as a Buying Market.-At a convention of the retailers of a large section of the country tributary to St. Louis, held in this city early in March, resolutions were unanimously adopted endorsing St. Louis as a buying market. In addition to the many well known reasons for giving St. Louis preference was added the fact that St. Louis is not a prominent home for mail order houses which are seriously interfering with the business of merchants in small cities and towns. It seems that St. Louis always heads the list when retailers are seeking the source of supply for the goods they handle, no matter whether the line is drugs, hardware, shoes, dry-goods or any other commodity.

The Chicago Veteran Druggists' Association celebrated the birthday of its patron and founder, Dr. T. N. Jamieson, on February 28. The real birthday occurs, February 29, but the members stick to the 28th of the month so that they can have a celebration each year. The affair was exceedingly enjoyable and at

President, Sidney C. Yoemans; First Vice-President, L. P. Larsen; Second Vice-President, W. T. Klenze; Third Vice-President, B. A. C. Hoelzer; Secretary, Isam M. Light; Treasurer, Charles A. Storer. Executive Committee: West Side, J. J. Boehm, Edward Williams, William Armbrecht; North Side, J. A. Hottinger, Joseph Swanson, W. H. Brown; South Side, J. P. Crowley, A. E. Zuber, Walter H. Krouskup.

The Baltimore Branch of the A. Ph. A. received at its February meeting the resignation of Chairman Dr. Charles Caspari Jr. The vacancy was filled by the election of Samuel Mansfield. The proceedings were devoted to the discussions of Labor Saving Devices by C. L. Meyer, and Finishing Touches by Prof. H. P. Hynson. A joint meeting with the City Medical Society will be held March 20.

The Massachusetts Ph. A. held a mid-winter meeting, February 1. The time was mostly devoted to the discussion of legislative matters. It would be well for other state associations to hold mid-winter sessions

when the state law makers are at work. We do not advise this for the purpose of urging new pharmacy legislation, but in order to have the druggists of the states in line to head off undesirable laws. Our advice is to let well enough alone and not continually tinker with the pharmacy laws.

Complete Sets of State Association Proceedings are exceedingly rare. A few years more and it will be impossible to secure copies of the reports of the earlier years. We heartily commend the action of those colleges of pharmacy, like the one at Ann Arbor, Mich., which are completing their sets of proceedings from the different state associations. We suggest that any of our readers having copies of state proceedings send them to the Lloyd Library, Cincinnati, O. This institution gratuitously acts as an exchange bureau, receiving pharmaceutical publications from various sources and helping out libraries that are making up sets of serials.

members of the organization. President O. F. Fuller
was in the chair. Addresses were made as follows:
W. K. Forsyth, Jamieson, the Druggist.

G. P. Engelhard, Jamieson, the Politician.
J. Blocki, Jamieson, the Friend.

Late F. Schroeter, Jamieson, the Entertainer.
W. Bodemann, Jamieson, the Veteran.

The Cerates of the Pharmacopoeia, according to Dr. George C. Diekman, are an improvement over the formulas of the previous revision. He believes that the temperature should be definitely stated in the directions for preparing similar preparations and that specific directions for keeping the product should be given in the Pharmacopoeia. We have long contended that the Pharmacopoeia should be made as serviceable as possible for the retail pharmacist. The statement of dose and the directions for the proper preservation of chemicals and preparations is a long step in this direction. No doubt, further work can be accomplished along the same line. At the same time, we should not forget that the Pharmacopoeia of this country is ahead of other pharmacopoeias in the amount and value of the directions given to guide the pharmacist in preserving medicines.

Microscopical Laboratory Examination.-Don't rack the objective down on the specimen.

PUBLIC EXPRESSIONS.

Read This Before You Write.

Contributions on subjects of interest to the pharmaceutical profession are always welcome. Write upon but one side of the sheet and spell out in full the names of medicines; never use abbreviations. The editor pays no attention to anonymous communications.

Effective Drug Store Advertising.-I am much interested in the article by J. W. Gain, appearing on page 510 of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST for December, 1907. No doubt, many other readers have followed this description of novel advertising since and will profit by the information so kindly given. Both proprietors and clerks can increase trade by studying out novel methods of advertising. Those who, like Mr. Gain, communicate their experience to the readers of the pharmaceutical press are rendering their fellow pharmacists a real service.-[A. C. MEYER. A Convenient Powder Folder.-The following drawing represents a device for folding powder papers made from a block of wood. Mark off on the block the different lengths to correspond with the size of powder boxes used, and then saw out the notches in the block as in No. 1. No. 2 shows when used.-[L. W. MARSHALL, Lexington, Mo.

A Few Funny Things that break the monotony of our daily (and nightly) routine.

The other afternoon while I was busy behind the prescription case, the junior clerk.came back, "Where do you keep the mud balls?" he asked.

"You must have your wires crossed," I told him. "No. I asked him twice and he said mud balls both times."

I stepped out and found he wanted moth balls. The same clerk had an order he deciphered as sugar and eggs, five cents, put in an eight-ounce bottle and use as directed. Of course it was sugar of lead.

One evening last summer while sitting in a neighboring drug store an old negro woman came rushing in and ran up to the clerk who was quite busy at the time, "Say Mr. Drugman, give me a nickles worf of insect powder quick."

Thinking it was an emergency case, the clerk dropped every thing and went to weigh up the required amount.

"Don't bother about wrapping it up," she said, "Gist sprinkle it down my back, for I's done got fleas all over me."-[E. H. M., St. Joe, Mo.

Get Behind Spices.-Every retail druggist should carry in stock a complete line of high quality spices; conveniently put up in cans or cartons, to retail at ten cents each, in competition with the grocery trade, for the following reasons:

1. From the earliest days spices have been considered drugs and were among the first staples of the ancient pharmacists.

2. They are legitimately the druggists' line, by right of priority as well as by the tremendous consumption in medicinal preparations. They have been transferred unfortunately to a very large degree onto the shelves of others, and in most instances at the expense of quality, which has placed the druggist at a disadvantage.

3. The Pure Food Law now being established and executed overcomes, to a very large extent at least, all unfair competition, and places this line again on a basis where quality is of first consideration.

4. A profitable article which at the same time is staple, as are spices, is always a desirable addition to the general stock. It is not only profitable in itself but often is a trade producer in other lines.

Therefore, in view of the above, let us druggists by concerted action and through individual efforts regain the spice business of our trade. Let us select a line of spices of undoubted quality, milled and guaranteed by a house in which we have confidence, and if each one will, together with his selling staff "get behind" spices we can easily do the work.-[A DRUGGIST. Pharmacists and Physicians.-There is a lot of

GEO. C. BARTELLS.

talk in all the meetings of pharmacists about the relations of pharmacists to the medical profession and among the M. Ds. also about the standing, character and relation of the medical fraternity to the druggists. This is no new question. Most of the differences and difficulties are of an individual character, and are only satisfactorily settled in each case as they occur. The blame for any fricton or difference is to be found in the parties concerned. There is greed and want of true integrity in both professions. Thirty-five or forty years ago I had trouble with the doctors, and it has continued to this day. One physician whose prescriptions I filled, demanded a percentage on the prescriptions he sent. This I could not honorably accede to. Another wanted me to use all my influence to his advantage which was of course out of the question, as due courtesy was due to all of my medical customers. Two others wanted to use my store as a liquor supply house and being strongly opposed to the use of intoxicants, unless used as other remedial agents, I had their displeasure. While all these cases lost me trade and seemed to me at times that I was turning away my profits and busi